Emergency exit means



g- 1964 c; c. BOURDUNIS 3, 43, 86

EMERGENCY EXIT MEANS Filed March 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR. 73 6022554222 z'fz'zze Cjoamuzzw l a IIVIIIIIIIIII/4/ a IIII'IIIIIIII I Aug. 4, 1964 c. c. BOURDUNIS 3,143,186 EMERGENCY EXIT MEANS 1' Filed March 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. C0225 zdzz Zine 673cm United States Patent 3,143,186 EMERGENCY EXIT MEANS Constantine C. Bourdunis, 4832 N. Taiman Ave.,

Chicago, Ill. Fiied Mar. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 13,290 Ciaims. (Ci. 1829S) This invention relates to emergency exit means and more particularly to a foldable or collapsible ladder structure which is convenient to use and instantaneously available to make emergency exits through windows or the like and which when not in use is inconspicuous and bears little resemblance to a fire escape or the like.

Many lives are lost annually through neglect to provide adequate means by which a person, or persons, might escape from a second or third story window of a building in case of fire. This neglect is not only due to the expense of such equipment but also results from a lack of convenience in storing such equipment especially if it is desired to provide each upper story room with an emergency exit means. It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a simple, sturdy, and inexpensive foldable or collapsible ladder structure which is readily mounted on the interior wall surface of a room adjacent a window and may be quickly and dependably used by a person, or persons, trapped in the room, as in the event of fire, with the normal means of exit blocked, to escape from the room, and which, when not in use, while it is in storage, occupies a very small volume of space within the room.

A further object is to provide an all-metallic, fireresistant emergency exit means for a room which is convenient to store and which is readily and quickly available to make rapid and safe emergency exit from the room.

Still another object is the provision of adjustable connection means between the ladder supporting frame and the stationary mounting structure of an emergency exit means whereby the emergency exit means is adaptable for use with buildings having various wall thicknesses.

A still further object is the provision of an adjustable mounting structure of an emergency exit means for securing the emergency exit means to the interior surface of the wall of the building whereby the emergency exit means may be readily installed in any room regardless of the vertical distance between the floor of the room and the window sill.

Still another object is the provision of novel means for storing the foldable ladder when not in use.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent in and encompassed by the invention, together with the many purposes and uses thereof, Will become readily apparent from the reading of the ensuing description in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational View of one em bodiment of an emergency exit means incorporating the invention, the various components of the emergency exit means are illustrated in the positions occupied thereby when the emergency exit means is being used toescape from the room;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the emergency exit means illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3:: is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially along line 3a of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3b is a view similar to FIGURE 30 iilustrating a modified form of foldable ladder construction;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE l;

"ice

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the emergency exit means illustrated in FIGURE 1 with the exception that the foldable ladder is shown in its stored condition;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially along line 77 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention, a portion of the emergency exit means is broken away to better illustrate constructional details;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective View of the structure for supporting the foldable ladder when not in use;

FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view of a foldable ladder structure;

FIGURE 10a is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line Mia-10a of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 11 is a front elevational view similar to FIGURE 10 showing another form of ladder structure; and

FIGURE 11a: is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line Ila-11a of FIGURE 11.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like elements throughout the various views, the structure 10 for mounting the emergency exit means shown in FIGURE 1 on the interior surface 11 of a building wall 12 includes an upper U-shaped member 13 which is fastened to the window trim 14 or other wall structure directly below the sill 15 of a window 16 by means of a plurality of screws 17 or the like extending through a plurality of apertures formed in the bight section 18. The U-shaped member 13 is horizontally disposed and centered with respect to the window 16. One end of a vertically depending, intermediate barlike member 19 is rigidly secured to a flat offset portion 20 formed in the bight section 18 midway between the horizotnally inwardly projecting legs 21 of the U-shaped member 13. The lowermost end portion of the interme diate bar-like member 19 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced vertically aligned apertures 22 therethrough. The mounting structure 10 also includes a barlike, horizontally extending, bottom member 23. The mid-portion of the bottom bar 23 is offset from the general plane thereof to provide a flat mounting surface 24 for the elongated vertical bar 19. The flat mounting portion 24 which lies substantially in the same vertical plane containing the offset surface 26, is provided with a pair of vertically spaced apertures which are registerable with any two adjacent apertures 22 of the vertical bar 19. The shank portions of a pair of securing bolt and lock nut means 25 are adapted to extend through any two adjacent apertures 22 of the vertical bar IQ, and into the registering apertures formed in the flat mounting surface 24 to rigidly connect the elongated vertical bar 19 to the bottom bar 23. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the vertical distance between the top bar 13 and the bottom bar 23 may be readily adjusted and inasmuch as the bottom bar 23 is adapted to be rigidly secured to the baseboard 26 beneath the window 16 by means of fastening means 27 such as screws or the like, the emergency exit device may be readily utilized in a. variety of rooms wherein the window sill 15 is spaced above the floor 28 at different levels. In other words, the mounting structure 16 may be readily adjusted to fit beneath the window sill 15 regardless of the height of the Window sill 15 above the floor 28. Furthermore, because the mounting surfaces 20, 24 for the vertical bar 19 are offset, it is not necessary to remove, damage or injure the quarter round strip generally concealing the joint between the edge of the floor 28 and the baseboard 28.

The ladder supporting frame, designated generally by numeral 29, includes a pair of transversely spaced, parallel bars 36. The bars 30 are suitably fixed to a U-shaped support bar 31 adjacent the intersection of the legs 32 with the bight section'33 thereof. The legs 32 of the support bar 31 perform a dual function as will be pointed out hereinafter. Extending horizontally between and interconnecting one end of each bar 30 is a transversely extending ladder support rod 34. In a similar fashion a second rod 35 extends between and interconnects portions of the bars 30 intermediate the ends thereof. The rod 35 rigidities the ladder supporting frame 29 and also serves as a hand-hold to facilitate descending of the ladder. The legs 32 of the support bar 31 are of a sufficient length that when the ladder supporting frame 29 is positioned, as shown in FIGURE 2, with the free ends thereof resting upon the window ledge 36 the bars 30 are vertically spaced above the window sill 15.

The bars 30 are operatively connected to the mounting structure 10 by means of two pairs of links 37. One link 38 of each pair or links 37 is provided with an offset tab 39 which is pivotally connected to the free end of a respective leg 21 of the upper bar 13 by means of a pivot pin 40. The opposite end of each link 38 is pivotally connected to an end of a respective link 41 by means of a pivot pin 42. The end of each link 4-1 opposite the end pivotally connected to a respective link 38 is provided with an ofiset tab 43 which is horizontally spaced and parallel to the tab 39 of a respective link 33 when the ladder supporting frame 29 is in its stored position, as shown in FIGURE 6. A pivot pin 44 is utilized to pivotally connect each tab 43 with an end of a respective bar 30. Each pivot pin 44 has an enlarged head 45 and a shank portion 46 integrally formed therewith. The free end section of the shank portion 4-6 is provided with screw threads for receiving a lock nut 47 thereon. As best shown in FIGURE 2, the end portion of each bar 30 opposite the end carrying the ladder support rod 34 is provided with a series of spaced apertures 48. Each aperture 48 of one bar 30 is in transverse alignment with an aperture as of the other bar 30 and is adapted to be placed in registration with the aperture formed through each tab 43 and the shank portion 46 of a respective pivot pin 44 is adapted to be inserted through the registering apertures. A lock nut 49 is then threaded on the threaded end section of each shank portion 46 to maintain the links 41 pivotally connected to the bars 3t). From the foregoing it would be appreciated that the horizontal spacing between the legs 32 of the support bar 31 with respect to the pivotal axes of the pivot pins 44 may be readily adjusted. Thus, the horizontal spacing of the supporting legs 32 may be adjusted with respect to the ledge 36 and sill 15 so as to position the legs 32 to rest firmly on the window ledge 36 of the window 16 regardless of the thickness or depth of the window ledge supporting surface. By providing the offset tabs 39 and 43 the aforesaid adjustment can be made while the ladder supporting frame 29 is in its stored position, as shown in FIGURE 6, inasmuch as sufiicient clearance is provided to thread and unthread the lock nuts 49 to and from the shank portions 46 of the pivot pins 44.

The form of ladder construction illustrated with the supporting frame 29 in FIGURE 2 is also shown in FIGURE 3 and 3a and includes a plurality of rod-like members 50. Each rod-like member has a reduced diameter section 51 adjacent each end thereof. The redlike members 50 serve as the ladder rungs. The ladder sides or stiles are formed by rigid strap-like members 52. The ends of each stile member 52 are in the form of eyes 53 each of which is adapted to pivotally receive one of the reduced diameter sections 51 of a respective rod-like rung member 50, as shown in FIGURE 3. The eyes 53 of the stile members 52 connected to the ladder support rod 34 encircle reduced diameter sections 54 formed on the ends of ladder support rod 34 and are thus pivotally connected to the support rod 34. Preferably the eyes 53 4 are closed by welding or the like and thus are prevented from unwrapping from the reduced diameter sections 54. The free end portions of the reduced diameter sections 54 of the support rod 34 are provided with screw threads and are adapted to threadingly receive lock nuts. 55 to secure the ladder to the ladder supporting frame 29. It will be appreciated at the axial length of each reduced diameter section 51 is such that it will accommodate the eyes 53 of two adjacent stile members 52 without any interference between the stiles 52 as the ladder is folded and unfolded but which will prevent the stiles 52 from moving axially with respect to the rungs 50 any appreciable amount. It is to be understood that there are a sufficient number of rungs 5t] and stiles 52 so that when the ladder is unfolded and hanging vertically, as shown in FIGURE 2, the ladder will extend from the supporting frame 29 to ground level. When the ladder is not in use it is folded to bring each pair of parallel stiles 52 into a closely spaced relation with the adjacent pair of parallel stiles 52. The ladder in its folded condition and supporting frame 29 are then swung inwardly through the window opening 16 to the stored position of the emergency exit means shown in FIGURE 6. It will be appreciated that the entire emergency exit means occupies a very small volume of space within the room and is relatively inconspicuous. The ladder is stored within the room beneath the windows 16 and ready for instant use by means of a substantially Z-shaped bracket 56. One leg 57 of the Z- shaped bracket is provided with a pair of apertures which are registerable with any two of a plurality of vertically spaced apertures 58 formed in a portion of the elongated vertical bar 19 intermediate the ends thereof. A bolt 59 is adapted to extend through each pair of registering apertures and a cooperable lock nut 60 is adapted to be threaded on each bolt 59 to secure the bracket 56 to the bar 19. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the vertical height of the horizontal intermediate section 61 of the bracket 56 may be adjusted with respect to the floor 28. When the ladder is in its folded stored position one half of the rungs 50 rest upon the horizontal intermediate section 61 and are prevented from being dislodged therefrom by the vertical upstanding leg 62 of the bracket 56 as Well as the legs 32 of the bars 30 which extend substantially horizontally, as shown in FIGURE 6, when the supporting frame 29 is in its stored position and partially embrace the stored stiles 52 of the folded ladder. Furthermore, since the vertical distance between the intermediate section 61 and the floor may be readily varied, as pointed out hereinbefore, the lowermost rungs 50 of the ladder, when in its stored position, can be vertically above the floor regardless of the particular vertical spacing of the window sill above the floor in the room where the emergency exit means is being utilized.

The emergency exit means is installed by first fastening the bight section 18 of the top member 13 to the window trim 14 in the center of the window opening 16. The bottom bar 23 is moved with respect to the bar 19 until it lies on the baseboard 26 and two adjacent apertures 22 of the elongated bar 19 are in registration with the apertures formed in the offset surface 24. Thereafter the bolts 25 are inserted through the registering apertures and lock nuts are threaded on the bolts 25 to rigidly connect the vertical bar 19 to the bottom bar 23. The bottom bar 23 is then fastened to the baseboard 26 in the manner pointed out hereinbefore. The ladder supporting frame 29 is then swung outwardly and is adjusted with respect to the links 41 until the legs 32 rest firmly upon the uppermost surface of the window ledge 36 with the links 33 engaging the innermost edge of window sill 15. The pivot pins 44 are then inserted through the apertures of the offset tabs 43 and the registering apertures 48 of the bars 30. The lock nuts 47 are then threaded on the shank portions 46 of the pivot pins 44 to maintain the bars 30 pivotally connected to the links 41 as pointed out hereinbefore. The height of the horizontal intermediate section 61 is then adjusted so that the lowermost rungs 50 of the ladder when in its folded condition, as shown in FIGURE 6, are spaced above the floor 28.

In order to use the emergency escape means, assuming that the emergency escape means has been properly installed in the manner set forth above and the ladder is in its stored position, the window is opened and the ladder is removed from the bracket 56 and allowed to unfold by its own weight along the exterior surface of the building. The ladder supporting frame 29 is then swung through the window opening 16 until the links 38 engage the innermost edge of the window sill 15, as shown in FIG- URE 2, to limit outward movement of the supporting frame 29 and the free ends of the legs 32 of the support bar 31 rest firmly upon the uppermost surface of the window ledge 36. It will be noted that the length of the bars 30 are of such a length that the ends to which the support rod 34 is attached overhang the window ledge 36 and thus the ladder rungs 50 are spaced sufficiently from the exterior surface of the wall 12 so that the person effecting an escape may place his feet properly on the ladder rungs 5% without being prevented from doing so by being too close to the wall 12.

The ladder supporting frame 63 and the links 64 of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 8 is constructed in the same manner as the ladder supporting frame 29 and the links 37 of the embodiment of the invention described hereinbefore and illustrated in FIG- URES l and 2. The mounting structure 65 also is similar to the mounting structure of the embodiment of the invention described above. However the ladder stiles 52 instead of hanging vertically when the ladder is folded and in its stored position are disposed substantially horizontally and are supported on the bight portion 66 of a substantially U-shaped ladder supporting bar 67. The depending legs 68, 69 of the U-shaped ladder supporting bar 67 are each provided with a pair of vertically aligned apertures 70, 71, respectively, therethrough. The ladder support bar 67 is adapted to be connected to the vertical bar 19 and the flat mounting surface 24 of the bottom bar 23 by means of a pair of bolts 72 and cooperable lock nuts 73. The apertures of the leg 68 are placed in registration with the apertures of the fiat mounting surface 24 and in any two adjacent apertures 22 of the vertical bar 19. The shank portions of the bolt 72 are then inserted through the registering apertures and the lock nut 73 are tightened thereon to secure the ladder supporting bar 67, the bottom bar 23 and the vertical bar 19 together. In order to support the opposite end of the ladder supporting bars 67, a vertical member 74, spaced and parallel to the vertical bar 19, is provided. The vertical bar 74 is provided with a series of vertically aligned and spaced apertures 75 therethrough. The lowermost end of the vertical bar 74 is adapted to bear on the floor 23 and the shank portion of a bolt '76 is adapted to extend through each of two adjacent apertures 75 in registration with the aperture 71 formed through the leg 6% of the ladder supporting bar 67. Lock nuts 77 are then threaded on the projecting end portions of the bolts 76 to rigidly fasten the vertical member 74 to the ladder supporting bar 67. It will be appreciated that the adjustment of the vertical member 74 with respect to the ladder supporting bar 67 is made after the bottom bar 23 has been secured to the baseboard 26. It will be noted that a portion of the vertical member 74 projects above the level of the bight portion of the ladder 66 of the ladder supporting bar and serves, in conjunction with the legs 32 of the ladder supporting frame 29, to maintain the folded ladder correctly positioned on the bight portion 66. It

will also be noted that a ladder of a much longer length may be conveniently stored by the structure shown in FIGURE 8 than the structure shown in FIGURE 6 and thus the structure has particular utility for storing foldable ladders of a length necessary to efiect emergency escapes from windows of the third floor of a building.

However the structure for supporting the ladder in its folded position shown in FIGURE 6 is more compact and is preferable if the emergency exit means is to be utilized for an escape from a conventional second story window. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that an emergency exit means of a single size may accommodate window constructions having window ledges 36 of various depths may be accommodated merely by changing the effective length of the bars 30 between the pivotal axis of the bars 30 to the links 41 and the ladder support rod 34.

The foldable ladder construction illustrated in FIG- URE 3b is constructed substantially in the same manner as the ladder shown in FIGURE 3a with the exception that the ends of the ladder support rod 78 are not provided with a reduced diameter section for receiving the eyes 53 of the strap-like stile member 52 therethrough. Instead axial movement of the bar 30 and stile 52 inwardly is prevented by a pair of diametrically extending ears 79 which are struck from the rod 78, as illustrated in FIGURE 3b. A lock nut 80 is threaded on each terminal threaded end portion of the rod 78 to maintain the operative connection between the bars 30 and the stiles 52. It is to be understood that the rungs 50 could be also constructed Without the necessity of providing a reduced diameter section 51 adjacent each end thereof by providing ears similar to the ears 79 formed on the ladder support rod 78 to prevent inward axial movement of the eyes 53 of adjacent stiles 52.

In FIGURES l0 and 10a, the ladder construction comprises a plurality of members 81. Each member 81 is made from a single piece of metal rod with its ends welded together as indicated by numeral 82 and is formed to provide a pair of spaced and parallel stiles 83 and a pair of spaced and parallel rungs 84 extending substantially perpendicular from the ends of the stiles 83. A pair of diametrically extending ears 85 are struck from each rung 84 of member 81 at points spaced from the adjacent stile 83. Each member 81 is connected to an adjacent member 81 by means of a pair of strap-like stile members 86, each of which comprises a single length of material having an eye 37 formed on each end thereof. The eye 87 of each stile member 86 is pivotally connected to a respective rung 84 between a pair of ears 85 and the adjacent stile 83, as shown in FIGURES l0 and 10a.

The stiles 88 of the ladder construction shown in FIG- URES 11 and 11:: are constructed in the same manner as the stiles 52 shown in FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 10. However the ladder rungs 89 are constructed dilferently than the ladder rungs 5t and 84 of the ladder constructions shown in FIGURES 3 and 10, respectively. Each ladder rung 89 is made from a single piece of metal rod which is formed to provide a generally square loop 90 on each end thereof. The eye 91 of a stile member 88 is pivotally connected to each portion 92 of the square loop 96 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rung 89. It will be appreciated that in all of the different ladder constructions shown in FIGURES 3, 3a, 3b, 10 and ll the axes of the stiles intersect the longitudinal axes of the rungs to which they are pivotally connected at right angles and such right angled relationship is maintained and are prevented from being inadvertently bent or moved out of such right angle relationship by the various means noted above.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that with the improved energency exit means described hereinbefore should a person or persons be trapped in a room as in the event of a fire with the normal means of exit blocked such a person could easily escape from the room by letting themselves down the ladder. Furthermore a single size emergency exit means can be readily adapted to various types of buildings regardless of the height of the window sill above the floor and the thickness of the exterior Wall.

The embodiments of the invention chosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein are those preferred for achieving the objects of the invention and developing the utility thereof in the most desirable manner, due regard being had to existing factors of economy, simplicity of design and construction, and the improvements sought to be effected. It will be appreciated, there fore, that the particular structural and functional aspects emphasized herein are not intended to exclude, but rather to suggest, such other adaptations and modifications of the invention as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room having a window opening in a wall thereof, the lower portion of the window opening being defined by a window sill on the interior surface of the wall, comprising a ladder supporting frame adapted to be moved between a normal inside position and an outside position wherein an end portion thereof is horizontally spaced outwardly from the window sill; a foldable metallic ladder having one end connected to said end portion of said supporting frame, said ladder being arranged in a folded condition within the room when not in use and extending substantially parallel and spaced from the exterior surface of the wall when being used; mounting structure for said ladder supporting frame including a first horizontally disposed, U-shaped bracket secured to the interior surface of the wall of said room below the window sill with the legs thereof extending horizontally inwardly, the bight portion being formed to provide a mounting surface spaced horizontally inwardly from the interior surface of the wall intermediate the legs of said bracket, an elongated vertical bar having its uppermost end rigidly fastened to said mounting surface of said bracket, and a second horizontally disposed bracket adapted to be rigidly fastened to the interior surface of the wall, said second bracket having a mounting surface horizontally spaced inwardly from the interior surface of the wall and lying substantially in the same vertical plane as the mounting surface of said first bracket, and adjustable means for rigidly connecting said mounting surface of second bracket to said vertical bar at a plurality of positions along the length of said vertical bar whereby the vertical spacing between said first and second brackets may be selectively varied; and means operatively interconnecting said supporting frame and the legs of said first bracket, said means permitting said supporting frame to be moved between said stored position and said outside position, said means being engageable with said window sill to establish said outside position of said supporting frame by limiting the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said end portion of said supporting frame with respect to said Window sill.

2. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room substantially as set forth in claim 1, in which, said means operatively connecting said supporting frame and said legs of said first mentioned bracket includes adjusting means for selectively Varying the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said end portion of said supporting frame with respect to said window sill.

3. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room having a window opening in a wall thereof, the lower portion of the window opening being defined by a window sill on the interior surface of the wall, comprising a ladder supporting frame adapted to be moved between a normal inside position wherein the longitudinal axis of the supporting frame extends substantially vertically and an outside position wherein the longitudinal axis of said supporting frame extends substantially horizontally and an end portion of said supporting frame is horizontally spaced outwardly from said window sill; a foldable metallic ladder having one end connected to said end portion of said supporting frame, said ladder being arranged in folded condition within the room with one half of the rungs thereof vertically spaced above the other rungs and the ladder stiles extending substantially vertically when not in use, said ladder being unfolded and extending substantially parallel and spaced from the exterior surface of the wall when being used; means operatively interconnecting said supporting frame and the interior wall surface of the room beneath the window sill, said means permitting said supporting frame to be moved between said stored position and said outside position, said means being engagable with said window sill to establish said outside position of said supporting frame by limiting the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said end portion with respect to said window sill; and means for supporting said ladder in its folded condition within the room when not in use including a substantially Z-shaped bar having one leg extending substantially vertically upwardly from the intermediate portion of said Z-shaped bar, said intermediate portion of said bar being adapted to have the vertically uppermost rungs of said ladder when in its folded condition rest thereupon, an adjustable means for rigidly connecting the other leg of said Z-shaped bar at a plurality of vertical positions along a vertically extending portion of said means operatively interconnecting said supporting frame and the interior wall surface of the room whereby the height of the lowermost rungs of the ladder when in its folded condition may be adjusted with respect to the floor of the room.

4. Means for effecting an emergency exit from. a room substantially as set forth in claim 3, wherein said ladder supporting frame is provided with a pair of spaced legs which extend substantially horizontally inwardly when said ladder supporting frame is in its normal inside stored position, said legs being adapted to partially embrace said stiles of said ladder intermediate the ladder rungs when arranged in folded condition within the room and supported on said intermediate portion of said Z-shaped bar.

5. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room having a window in a wall thereof, the lower portion of the window opening being defined by a window sill on the interior surface of the wall and a ledge on the exterior surface of the Wall, comprising a ladder supporting frame including a pair of transversely spaced and parallel bars and a U-shaped support bar extending transversely between and rigidly connected to said parallel bars intermediate the longitudinally spaced ends thereof, said ladder supporting frame being adapted to be moved between a normal inside position wherein the longitudinal axis of the supporting frame extends substantially vertically and the legs of said support bar extend substantially horizontally inwardly and an outside position wherein the longitudinal axis of said supporting frame extends substantially horizontally wherein the free end portions of said legs of said support bar are adapted to rest upon the window ledge and an end portion of each of said parallel bars overhangs the lodge; a foldable metallic ladder having one end connected to said end portions of said parallel bars, said ladder being arranged in folded condition within the room with one half of the rungs thereof vertically spaced above the other rungs and the ladder stiles extending substantially vertically when not in use, said ladder being unfolded and extending substantially parallel and spaced from the exterior surface of the wall when being used; a mounting structure rigidly fastened to a fixed part of the room beneath the window still including a first horizontally disposed U-shaped bracket secured to the interior surface of the wall of said room below the window sill, the legs thereof extending horizontally inwardly, an elongated vertical bar having its uppermost end rigidly fastened to a portion of said first bracket midway between the legs thereof, and a second bracket vertically spaced below said first bracket rigidly secured to the interior surface of the wall of the room and said vertical bar; means operatively interconnecting said supporting frame and the legs of said first bracket, said means permitting said supporting frame to be moved between said stored position and said outside position, said means being engagable with said window sill to establish said outside position of said supporting frame by limiting the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said support bar legs with respect to said window sill; and means for supporting said ladder in its folded condition within the room when not in use including a substantially Z-shaped bar having one leg extending substantially vertically upwardly from the intermediate portion thereof, said intermediate portion of said bar being adapted to have the vertical uppermost rungs of said ladder when in its folded condition rest thereupon, and adjustable means for connecting said other leg of said 2- shaped bar at a plurality of positions along the length of said vertical bar whereby the height of the lowermost rungs of the ladder when in its folded condition may be adjusted with respect to the floor of the room, said legs of said ladder supporting frame support bar being adapted to partially embrace said stiles of said ladder when arranged in folded condition within the room and supported on said intermediate portion of said Z-shaped bar.

6. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room having a window opening in a wall thereof, the lower portion of the window opening being defined by a window sill on the interior surface of the wall, comprising a ladder supporting frame adapted to be moved between a normal inside position wherein the longitudinal axis of the supporting frame extends substantially vertically and an outside position wherein the longitudinal axis of said supporting frame extends substantially horizontally and an end portion of said supporting frame is horizontally spaced outwardly from the window sill; a foldable metallic ladder having one end connected to said end portion of said supporting frame, said ladder being arranged in a folded condition within the room with approximately one half of the ladder rungs in vertical alignment and horizontally spaced inwardly from the other rungs thereof which are also in vertical alignment and the ladder stiles extending substantially horizontally when not in use, said ladder being unfolded and extending substantially parallel and spaced from the exterior surface when being used; means operatively interconnecting said supporting frame and a part fixed to the room, said means permitting said supporting frame to be moved between said stored position and said outside position, said means being engageable with said window sill to establish said outside position of said supporting frame by limiting the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said end portion with respect to said window sill; and means for supporting said ladder in its folded condition within the room when not in use including a substantially U-shaped bar having one leg rigidly connected to a part fixed to the interior surface of the wall and the other leg rigidly connected to a vertically extending bar, one end of said vertically extending bar being adapted to rest upon the floor of the room and the other end thereof being vertically spaced above the bight portion of said U-shaped bar, said bight portion of said U-shaped bar being adapted to have the vertically lowermost rungs of said ladder when in its folded condition rest thereupon.

7. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room substantially as set forth in claim 6, wherein said ladder supporting frame is provided with a pair of spaced legs which extend substantially horizontally inwardly when said ladder supporting frame is in its normal inside stored position, said legs being adapted to partially embrace said ladder when arranged in folded condition within the room and supported on said bight portion of said U- shaped bar.

8. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room having a window in a wall thereof, the lower portion of the window opening being defined by a window sill on the interior surface of the wall and a ledge on the exterior surface of the Wall, comprising a ladder supporting frame including a pair of transversely spaced and parallel bars and a U-shaped support bar extending transversely between and rigidly connected to said parallel bars intermediate the longitudinally spaced ends thereof, said ladder supporting frame being adapted to be moved between a normal inside position wherein the longitudinal axis of the supporting frame extends substantially vertically and the legs of said support bar ex tend substantially horizontally inwardly and an outside position wherein the longitudinal axis of said supporting frame extends substantially horizontally and the free end portions of said legs of said support bar are adapted to rest upon the window ledge and an end portion of each of said parallel bars overhangs the ledge; a foldable metallic ladder having one end connected to said end portions of said parallel bars, said ladder being arranged in a folded condition within the room with approximately one half of the rungs thereof in vertical alignment and spaced horizontally inwardly from the other rungs thereof which are also in vertical alignment and the ladder stiles extending substantially horizontally when not in use, said ladder being unfolded and extending substantially parallel and spaced from the exterior surface of the wall when being used; a mounting structure rigidly fastened to a fixed part of the room beneath the window sill including a first horizontally disposed U-shaped bracket secured to the interior surface of the wall of the room below the window sill, the legs thereof extending horizontally inwardly, an elongated vertical bar having its uppermost end rigidly fastened to a portion of said first bracket midway between the legs thereof, and a second bracket vertically spaced below said first bracket rigidly secured to the interior surface of the wall of the room and said vertical bar; means operatively interconnecting said supporting frame and the legs of said first bracket, said means permitting said supporting frame to be moved between said stored position and said outside position, said means being engageable with said Window sill to establish said outside position of said supporting frame by limiting the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said support bar legs with respect to said window sill; and means for supporting said ladder in its folded condition within the room when not in use including a substantially U-shaped bar, the bight portion of said bar being adapted to have the vertically lowermost rungs of said ladder when in its folded condition rest thereupon, adjustable means for connecting one leg of said U-shaped bar at a plurality of positions along the length of said vertical bar whereby the height of the bight portion along the length of said vertical bar whereby the height of the bight portion of said U-shaped bar say be adjusted with respect to the floor of the room, a relatively short vertical bar, and adjustable means for rigidly connecting said relatively short vertical bar to the other leg of said U-shaped bar whereby the lowermost end of said relatively short bar rests upon the floor of the room, said legs of said ladder supporting frame support bar being adapted to partially embrace said folded ladder when supported on said bight portion of said U-shaped bar.

9. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room having a window opening in a wall thereof, the lower portion of said window opening being defined by a ledge on the exterior surface of the wall and a window sill on the interior surface of the wall, comprising a ladder supporting frame including a pair of transversely spaced and parallel bars and a U-shaped support bar extending transversely between and rigidly connected to said parallel bars intermediate the longitudinally spaced ends thereof, the ladder supporting frame being adapted to be moved between a normal inside stored position Within the room beneath the window opening and an outside position wherein the free end portion of the legs of said support bar are adapted to rest upon the window ledge and an end portion of each of said parallel bars overhangs the ledge; a foldable metallic ladder having one end connected to the end portions of said parallel bars adapted to overhang said ledge, said ladder being arranged in folded condition within the room when not in use and extending substantially parallel and spaced from the exterior surface of the room when being used; a mounting structure rigidly fastened to a fixed part of the room beneath the window sill including a first horizontally disposed, U-shaped bracket secured to the interior surface of the wall of said room below the window sill with the legs thereof extending horizontally inwardly, the bight portion being formed to provide a mounting surface spaced horizontally inwardly from the interior surface of the wall intermediate the legs of said bracket, an elongated vertical bar having its uppermost end rigidly fastened to said mounting surface of said bracket, a second horizontally disposed bracket adapted to be rigidly fastened to the interior surface of the wall, said second bracket having a mounting surface horizontally spaced inwardly from the interior surface of the wall and lying substantially in the same vertical plane as the mounting surface of said first bracket, and adjustable means for rigidly connecting said mounting surface of said second bracket to said vertical bar at a plurality of positions along the length of said vertical bar whereby the vertical spacing between said first and second brackets may be selectively varied; and means operatively interconnecting the ends of said parallel bars opposite the end portions thereof adapted to overhang the ledge and said mounting structure, said means permitting said supporting frame to be moved between said stored position and said outside position and including a pair of link means, each of said link means including a pair of pivotally connected links, one end of one of said links of each of said link means being pivotally connected to a respective leg of said first bracket of said mounting structure, said link means being engageable with said window sill to establish said outside position of said supporting frame by limiting the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said support bar legs with respect to said window sill, said means operatively connecting said parallel bars and said mounting structure further including adjustable means pivotally connecting one end of the other of said links of each of said link means to a respective parallel bar of said supporting frame at any one of a plurality of positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the supporting frame for selectively varying the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said support bar legs with respect to said window sill.

10. Means for effecting an emergency exit from a room having a window opening in a wall thereof, the lower portion of said window opening being defined by a ledge on the exterior surface and a window sill'on the interior surface of the wall, comprising a ladder supporting frame including a pair of elongated transversely spaced, parallel bars and a U-shaped support bar extending transversely between and rigidly connected to said parallel bars intermediate the longitudinally spaced ends thereof, said ladder supporting frame being adapted to be moved between a normal inside stored position within the room beneath the window opening and an outside position wherein the free end portion of the legs of said support bar are adapted to rest upon the window ledge and an end portion of each of said parallel bars overhangs theledge; a foldable metallic ladder having one end pivotally connected to the end portions of said parallel bars adapted to overhang said ledge, said ladder being arranged in folded condition within the room when not in use and extending substantially parallel and spaced from the exterior surface of the boom when being used; a mounting structure rigidly fastened to the interior surface of the Wall of the room beneath the window sill; and means operatively connecting the ends of said parallel bars opposite the end portions thereof adapted to overhang the ledge and said mounting structure, said means permitting said supporting frame to be moved between said stored position and said outside position and including a pair of link means, each of said link means including a first link and a second link having respective ends pivotally connected to each other, the end of each of said first links opposite the end thereof pivotally connected to a second link being pivotally connected to said mounting structure, said link means being engageable with said window sill to establish said outside position of said supporting frame by limiting the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said support bar legs with respect to said window sill, said means operatively connecting said parallel bars and said mounting structure further including adjustable means pivotally connecting an end of each of said second links to a respective parallel bar of said supporting frame at any one of a plurality of positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the supporting frame for selectively varying the extent of horizontal outward movement permitted by said support bar legs with respect to said window sill including a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures formed through each of said parallel bars, each aperture of one oar being in transverse alignment with an aperture of the other bar, and pivot connecting means carried by said second links having transversely extending portions adapted to extend through any two of said transversely aligned apertures of said parallel bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 280,373 Heath July 3, 1883 311,661 Joynt Feb. 3, 1885 755,666 Horton Mar. 29, 1904 914,436 Loomis Mar. 9, 1909 1,003,105 Heath Sept. 12, 1911 1,060,156 Bowen Apr. 29, 1913 1,264,837 Moen Apr. 30, 1918 1,389,096 Chappell Aug. 30, 1921 1,658,637 Harding Feb. 7, 1928 2,607,523 Williams Aug. 19, 1952 2,946,398 McNulty July 26, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 746,048 Great Britain Mar. 7, 1956 

1. MEANS FOR EFFECTING AN EMERGENCY EXIT FROM A ROOM HAVING A WINDOW OPENING IN A WALL THEREOF, THE LOWER PORTION OF THE WINDOW OPENING BEING DEFINED BY A WINDOW SILL ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WALL, COMPRISING A LADDER SUPPORTING FRAME ADAPTED TO BE MOVED BETWEEN A NORMAL INSIDE POSITION AND AN OUTSIDE POSITION WHEREIN AN END PORTION THEREOF IS HORIZONTALLY SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM THE WINDOW SILL; A FOLDABLE METALLIC LADDER HAVING ONE END CONNECTED TO SAID END PORTION OF SAID SUPPORTING FRAME, SAID LADDER BEING ARRANGED IN A FOLDED CONDITION WITHIN THE ROOM WHEN NOT IN USE AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL AND SPACED FROM THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WALL WHEN BEING USED; MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR SAID LADDER SUPPORTING FRAME INCLUDING A FIRST HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED, U-SHAPED BRACKET SECURED TO THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WALL OF SAID ROOM BELOW THE WINDOW SILL WITH THE LEGS THEREOF EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY INWARDLY, THE BIGHT PORTION BEING FORMED TO PROVIDE A MOUNTING SURFACE SPACED HORIZONTALLY INWARDLY FROM THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WALL INTERMEDIATE THE LEGS OF SAID BRACKET, AN ELONGATED VERTICAL BAR HAVING ITS UPPERMOST END RIGIDLY FASTENED TO SAID MOUNTING SURFACE OF SAID BRACKET, AND A SECOND HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED BRACKET ADAPTED TO BE RIGIDLY FASTENED TO THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WALL, SAID SECOND BRACKET HAV- 